State pension

Make sure you claim your state pension

Once you reach state retirement age you may be notified by the then current pension regulatory body advising you to claim your state pension. If you are not notified you will probably have to make the claim anyway as your state pension doesn't normally start paying automatically.

The level of your state pension is dependent on the contributions you made, through your national insurance payments, throughout your working life. Click here to calculate your probable state pension entitlement.

Successive governments have been raising the state retirement age due to the burden, and future burden, state pension payments place on the public finances. Moreover, at present levels, the state pension entitlement bearly covers essentials for living.